Barbara Walters unveils 2012 "Most Fascinating" list

Barbara Walters will unveil what has become her annual list of the "Most Fascinating People" of the year.

Walters said she chose people who have been "very much in the news" and "no criminals."

PHOTO: (ABC/ RON TOM)

Walters has been naming 10 notables to an annual list since 1993, and the time has come to continue that tradition. Here's a preview of who is on the show that airs Wednesday at 9:30pm on Channel 5.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Ida Mae Astute)

Academy Award-winning actor/director/writer Ben Affleck. Walters said seeing "Argo" - the true story of the CIA's rescue of several Americans from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis - convinced Walters to pursue its driving force.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Rick Rowell)

Outspoken New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Ida Mae Astute)

Olympic Gold medalist Gabby Douglas.

PHOTO: (ABC/ DONNA SVENNEVIK)

One of the most famous women in politics, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Martin H. Simon)

The British boyband sensation One Direction.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Donna Svennevik)

Walters said when she was initially doing research for this year's special, she had no idea who the British boyband was.

Barbara Walters will unveil what has become her annual list of the "Most Fascinating People" of the year.

Walters said she chose people who have been "very much in the news" and "no criminals."

PHOTO: (ABC/ RON TOM)

Walters has been naming 10 notables to an annual list since 1993, and the time has come to continue that tradition. Here's a preview of who is on the show that airs Wednesday at 9:30pm on Channel 5.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Ida Mae Astute)

Academy Award-winning actor/director/writer Ben Affleck. Walters said seeing "Argo" - the true story of the CIA's rescue of several Americans from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis - convinced Walters to pursue its driving force.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Rick Rowell)

Outspoken New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Ida Mae Astute)

Olympic Gold medalist Gabby Douglas.

PHOTO: (ABC/ DONNA SVENNEVIK)

One of the most famous women in politics, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Martin H. Simon)

The British boyband sensation One Direction.

PHOTO: (ABC/ Donna Svennevik)

Walters said when she was initially doing research for this year's special, she had no idea who the British boyband was.